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Intro: The ongoing interest in synthetic sports surfaces at all levels has
far-reaching maintenance and training implications for all grounds staff.
One of the hottest of hot potatoes in grounds maintenance currently is the
ongoing debate concerning the relative merits of natural turf and synthetic
pitches. Actually, it is not a new phenomenon. At the highest level,
competitive hockey has been played on nothing but artificial grass for many
years now, and most top tennis tournaments are played on non-turf surfaces. But
the increased performance characteristics of the latest third generation (3G)
synthetics has brought the topic to the fore.
FIFA and UEFA have stated their intention to have more top matches played on
artificial pitches, and the FA is expected to bring out its criteria for the UK
later this year. It has been suggested that half of the Euro 2008 and World Cup
2010 matches could take place on synthetics.
The arguments in favour of artificial surfaces include the fact that they are
more or less weatherproof and can support intensive levels of usage, if
properly maintained. The major sporting bodies are interested in them as a
means of ensuring uniformity of playing standards throughout the world and
reducing the likelihood of any unfair home advantage being derived from the
quality of the ground.
Many stadium owners and local authority leisure managers view synthetic pitches
positively as a means of increasing usage for non-sporting events, maximising
participation amongst all levels of society and enhancing revenue
opportunities.
A person who is well qualified to give a neutral appraisal of the current
situation is George Mullan. He is Chief Executive Officer of SIS (Support in
Sport) Ltd, who design, install and maintain both natural and artificial
pitches for all levels of private and public sector sport. He therefore has no
particular axe to grind, and believes that the two types of surface complement,
rather than compete against, each other, with different roles to play.
"Natural grass can typically accommodate 300 hours of play per year and is the
ideal surface to play football on. Reinforced turf, incorporating plastic
fibres with real grass, can achieve around 800 hours. However, artificial
systems can provide over 2,500 hours of play annually, making them the obvious
choice for local authorities and sports clubs seeking the most resilient,
multi-use surfaces."
Further impetus could be added to the argument for synthetics by the findings
of the Play Review, which was commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media
and Sport to address the issue of children's play facilities. Its findings were
published in January.
Research conducted amongst youngsters for the Review suggested found that they
wanted improved playground and sports facilities within close proximity. This
would also counter the lack of participation caused by the closure of many play
areas in recent years, and by the development of primarily indoor amusement
facilities and entertainments. These factors are thought by some observers to
have contributed to rising levels of child obesity.
Synthetic pitches can promote participation and enjoyment, as proved by a
pioneering project on a South Lowestoft industrial estate. The Raw Soccer
complex is the only soccer centre of its kind in Suffolk, where football fans
aged from four upwards play on state-of-the-art facilities, assisted by FA
trained coaches.
The centre has a 3G artificial surface that was installed by SIS, who also
advise a particular maintenance programme for it. 3G systems feature a deep
sand and rubber crumb infill that even allows the latest blade boots to be
worn, so replicating the best natural turf.
The surface at Raw Soccer allows extended usage on an impressive scale. The
facility is open seven days a week, from 10am-10pm and is used by schools,
local clubs and corporate teams. It will also host 'futsal' tournaments, a game
approved by UEFA and derived from 5-a-side, with larger goals and a smaller
ball.
Of course, synthetic surfaces have already been installed by many local
authorities, schools and sports clubs, and have proved very popular. Top soccer
teams also have them for training purposes. This means that more and more
people of all ages will have experience of non-turf facilities and will be more
receptive to them in the future. As George Mullan aptly puts it, "the new
generation of artificial pitches will lead to a new generation of players."
Phil Hoadley, a former Norwich City and Crystal Palace star, who works as a
coach and manager at Raw Soccer, is very enthusiastic about the 3G surface.
"The pitch is fabulous and is great to play on. You have to forget any
prejudices about artificial pitches. The SIS surface has the feel and 'give' of
real grass."
"The surface has none of the hardness of second generation pitches, and players
do not experience sand burns."
All this evidence suggests that synthetic pitches will become much more common.
This, in turn, means that more groundsmen will need to be trained in their
correct maintenance. This is an important consideration, since many people
wrongly believe that artificial grass is a maintenance-free option.
The need for maintaining artificial pitches is borne out by the growth of
Technical Surfaces, a company operating throughout the UK. The business
specialises in the maintenance of synthetic sports turf, both indoors and out,
ranging from cricket strips to multi-use pitches.
"We have to educate people that maintenance is necessary, and that it will
extend the life of the surface," says Commercial Director Greg Hill.
"Groundsmen can do a lot themselves, such as picking up obvious debris,
checking seams and weekly drag-brushing, where an all-terrain vehicle tows a
brush over the surface to level the infill, keep the pile erect and stop the
pitch becoming hard."
"However, specialist equipment will be needed occasionally, to collect loose
particles and dust, and filter out unwanted material which could affect the
system's porosity. We offer a monthly Power Sweeping service, which removes mud
and dust left by boots, as well as organic matter like weeds, grass cuttings
and seeds drifting from areas around the pitch."
"We can also offer an intensive annual RevitalisationT service which gives the
surface a new lease of life," says Greg Hill.
It is therefore obvious that artificial pitches are anything but
maintenance-free. Again, the Raw Soccer facility in Lowestoft is a case in
point. Part of the regular maintenance programme developed and implemented for
the complex by SIS is the use of the company's special Sports Champ unit. This
has a motorised brush which sweeps back the infill that 'creeps' towards the
edges of the pitch during normal usage, and it helps to restore a level playing
surface.
The Sport Champ can be used on indoor and outdoor synthetic surfaces, including
sand and water based all-weather pitches. The unit was used during the 2000
Sydney Olympics and on UEFA pitches in Lyon. In operation its brushes, together
with a suction turbine, removes fine dust, dirt and algae from pitches.
Interestingly, the care of artificial turf is becoming recognised as a subject
for training and education. The Institute of Groundsmanship already offers a
one-day course in the Maintenance of Synthetic Sports Surfaces, and many
leading colleges that offer courses in sports turf management have synthetic
pitches as a learning resource for students.
George Mullan reiterates that both natural and artificial pitches will coexist
in the future, and that grounds maintenance professionals have to react
accordingly. "There is obviously a tremendous amount of knowledge and skill
amongst UK groundsmen. They are maintaining natural pitches to the very highest
of standards. But the case for synthetic surfaces is growing, particularly for
heavily used, multi-purpose facilities. Here, 3G synthetics are a sensible, and
economically essential, way forward."
And this means that groundsmen have to equip themselves with the proper skills
set to care for such surfaces that they may well meet in the future.